PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: Education
WRITTEN BY: Flinders University Education Students, Pokhara, Nepal
Namaste! The second week of our amazing trip started with the entire group heading back out to schools to continue the teaching we started last Thursday. Most were met with positive experiences and shared stories of their success, while those who found the first days somewhat more challenging were still pleased to be in the classroom doing what they love.
Schooling in Nepal has some similarities to the Australian system but on the whole is vastly different. Rote learning appears to be the flavour of the month and the level of discipline and compliance of the students is beyond what I have seen in even the most structured classroom back home. The tendency of almost all teachers is to teach from the textbook and test regularly, leaving little room for the pedagogies we are familiar with from home. The thought of constructing learning together, or using questions as a way to reach an answer appear completely foreign to them. As such, we have all been able to show the locals a thing or two about possible ways to teach while learning from them at the same time.
Having got through the first two school days of the week, we were met met with the unexpected news that all Nepali schools would be closed from Tuesday through Thursday for the Teez festival. A three day Festival of Woman celebrated by Hindus’. Not wishing to waste a minute of our time in this fabulous country, the group unanimously decided to take the 6 hour bus trip to Chitwan National Park.
Chitwan is considered a favourite among many tourists and upon arriving their we quickly understood why. The resort in which we stayed was amazing with the most friendly staff you are likely to encounter. Our first afternoon involved a short Jeep ride to look at the way the indigenous Tauru people lived before heading off the see some elephants. Day 2 involved an early wake up and 4 hour walk through the Jungle and muddy grassland where almost everyone’s will and good spirits were tested. Although we saw very few animals, the group came away with something to talk about for years to come. That afternoon we opted for a Jeep Safari to save the tired legs but unfortunately saw very few animals on this trip either. Day 3 again involved and early rise but this time saw us climbing on board two canoes expertly paddled by the locals. We were lucky enough to see a two Crocodiles, some magnificent birdlife and a Rhino along the way making the morning a very memorable one. After a brief rest back at the resort we headed out to bath with some Elephants and finished the day with an Elephant ride through the Jungle.
Having spent three action packed days at Chitwan, we jumped on the squishy bus back to Pokhara arriving sometime in the mid-afternoon. Most chose to stay at home and share stories with their host families while others made the 40 minute walk into Lakeside to enjoy a fresh juice and some relaxing on the couches at our favourite haunt Moondance.
It was interesting to observe that everyone from the group was excited to return to the Tibetan settlement of Tashi-Ling and their home stay families commenting on how much it already felt like ‘home’. This is a better testament than any to how welcome we have all been made to feel by our families and those in the village and how much all group members have really embraced the local culture.
No comments:
Post a Comment